inmate running the asylum Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Posted on Wed, Mar. 03, 2004 Cowboys' deal to get Keyshawn reportedly nearly done By CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Fort Worth Star-Telegram IRVING, Texas - Keyshawn Johnson is one step closer to being a Cowboy. According to a source close to the negotiations, Johnson and the Cowboys have come to terms on a restructured, incentive-laden contract that would pay the disgruntled Tampa Bay receiver roughly $25 million over the next five years. The deal, which is only one part of a proposed trade between the Cowboys and Buccaneers to swap Johnson for receiver Joey Galloway, could be finalized as soon as Wednesday. "We've taken some big steps with potentially bigger ones on the way," Johnson said. "It's exciting, close, and we still have work to be done." Johnson, who is due to make $5 million in base salary in 2004, could make between $9-10 million in the first year of the deal, including bonus, base salary and incentives. Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones refused to confirm a completed deal with Johnson on Tuesday, saying only "we're progressing." However, likely giving Jones pause is Tampa Bay's slow negotiations with Galloway and agent Leigh Steinberg, the only remaining glitch in Johnson's reunion with Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. Johnson played for Parcells when both were with the Jets. From the outset, the trade hinged on the Cowboys restructuring the final four years of Johnson's eight-year, $56 million contract with the Buccaneers and Galloway and the Buccaneers restructuring the remaining three years of his seven-year, $42 million deal. Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen has indicated that he would be receptive to a draft pick in return for Johnson if they couldn't reach an agreement with Galloway. However, it's unlikely the Cowboys will trade a pick in this year's draft, considering they only have five selections. On Tuesday, Jones said trading a pick was not part of their discussions. "We need Galloway to get it done," Jones said. The cap-strapped Buccaneers potentially moved a step closer to holding up their end of the bargain on Tuesday when they released five players, creating roughly $3 million in room under the league's $80.6 million salary cap. The Buccaneers now need to come up with an offer palatable to Galloway's tastes. Steinberg said his client is very receptive to going to Tampa Bay because it's the type of situation he would look for on the open market. "They need a deep threat, they got an imaginative coach and they are one year removed from the Super Bowl," Steinberg said. And while Steinberg said his client understands that he will have to accept far less than the $6.3 million in base salary than his current contract calls for next season, the Buccaneers have not yet come up with an acceptable offer. Considering the talented wide receivers on the free agent/trade market (Randy Moss, Terrell Owens) and quantity of quality receivers in the draft (Mike Williams, Roy Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Clayton, Rashaun Woods and Reggie Williams), it's probably in Galloway's best interest to get a deal done as soon as possible rather than be released into a thin receiver market June 1. "We have discussed the nature of a prospective contract," Steinberg said. "And we have agreed to continue talking." The trade is seemingly a win-win for all sides. While the speedy Galloway was probably going to be waived because his production (34 catches last season) hasn't matched his salary, he gives the Buccaneers the deep threat they have lacked. And Johnson, a former Pro Bowler who was deactivated for the final six games of the 2003 seasons because of his poor relationship with Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, gets a chance to repair his career and image with a coach and staff with which he is familiar. Johnson had his best years as a pro with the Jets in 1998 and 1999. Parcells was his head coach, Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley was his position coach and offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon was the running backs coach. And at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, Johnson will give Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter a reliable target on third down, where he has caught 202 of his last 298 receptions. Earlier on Tuesday, the Cowboys released offensive tackle Ryan Young and gave Torrin Tucker a two-year deal worth $305,000 and $380,000 in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Defensive tackle Willie Blade, running back Aveion Cason, tackle Javier Collins, running back Troy Hambrick, center Matt Lehr, safety Lynn Scott, linebacker Markus Steele, tight end James Whalen and receiver Randal Williams were tendered the minimum one-year, restricted free-agent offer of $628,000. The tender gives the Cowboys the right of first refusal if the player gets an offer from another team. Regarding Blade (third round), Lehr (fifth), Steele (fourth) and Whalen (fifth), the Cowboys would get draft-pick compensation if they signed with another team. Following their tenders as exclusive rights free agents, place-kicker Billy Cundiff ($380,000), cornerback Andrew Davison ($380,000) and running back Erik Bickerstaff (305,000) can only sign with the Cowboys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 They are both very mediocre, I think Galloway was the better receiver, but neither of them are #1 caliber receivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenaciousd Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 $25 mil for Meshawn. Good luck Cowpokes. Enjoy those 7 yard slants and 3 TDs a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I don't like this deal at all. This is a big plus for the cowpukes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kappaluvacee Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I'm not sure how this deal will pan out. If those are 3rd and long situations KJ isn't going to be a factor. If they get Staley in there, this might be a big move for the 'Boys.....My best friend is a 'Boys fan and I'm Die-Hard 'Skins...this should be a good season coming up for trash talking, I've been mute the last few years in hat regard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Meshawn might not score a lot but he moves the chains and that is what Dallas needs. If they pick up Staley and Garcia, WOW is our division going to be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHateMe Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Over 70% of Keyshawns catches go for first downs. Thats exactly what the Cowboys need. That 3rd down threat to pick up 5-7 yards for the first. Its the element theyve been missing and this would really be a good move for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidFan Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 As long as they don't keep both Keyshawn and Joey, I'm fine with that because Joey used to torch us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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